If most souls go to purgatory at death, are Catholics ‘saved’?

[Michie]

Q: When I was evangelical, we said a “saved” person went immediately to heaven at death. In a recent homily our priest said most Christians, including himself, will likely go to purgatory at death. How can Jesus’ shed blood pay for a person’s sins but they not go to heaven at death?

A: Your priest is probably right that most people will do a stint in purgatory after they die. But going to purgatory does not mean that a person isn’t “saved” — it’s quite the opposite, actually. A person in purgatory is one who is ultimately and surely destined for heaven.

Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection did indeed save us from sin, making heaven possible for us. That is, whereas the original sin of Adam and Evealienated humanity from God, Jesus’ perfect obedience to God’s will even to his death on the cross broke the bond original sin had over us. Through our baptism, by which we share in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are personally freed from original sin in our own lives.

A result of free will​

Continued below.

If most souls go to purgatory at death, are Catholics 'saved'?

If Jesus died for our sins, why do some still go to purgatory? Discover how purification after death fits within the promise of salvation.

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